Apparatus for dyeing and after treating fibers



May 8 1951 s. H. WILLIAMS 2,552,078

APPARATUS RoR DYRING AND AFTER TRRATINGl RIBERs Filed Jan. 9, 1945 :s sheezs-sheet 1 May 8, 1951 s. H. WILLIAMS APPARATUS FOR DYEING AND AFTER TREATING FIBERS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan.

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May 8, 1951 s. H. WILLIAMS APPARATUS FOR DYEING AND AFTER TREATING FIBERS Filed Jan. 9, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented May 8, 1951 APPARATUS FOR DYEING AND AFTER TREATING FIBERS Sumner H. Williams, Charlotte, N. C., assigner to General Dyestui Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application January 9, 1945, Serial No. 572,004

11 Claims.

This invention relates to a machine for the continuous dyeing, bleaching, after treating or washing of loose fibers. The various fibers, which hereafter will be known as stock, may for instance be composed of any of the following, or mixtures of these bers in forming the'web of stock to be treated. The stock may be of any character of fibers; vegetable, such as raw cotton, cotton linters, wood pulp, linen, hemp, etc., animal bers, such as Wool, silk, etc.; synthetic out staple fibers, such as Viscose, acetate, nylon, aralac, Vinyon, etc.; mineral iibers, such as asbestos, spun glass or out metallic staple.

At the present time there are in use only two practical methods of handling loose stock for dyeing, treating, etc. The rst and most commonly used is the packing of stock into pressure or open machines and forcing a circulatory flow of treating solutions through the mass until treating has been completed.

Certain drawbacks are encountered in treating a mass of fibers by any pressure system. For instance there are many treating solutions that are of high viscosity and are not readily pumped or forced evenly through stock that has been packed and the solutions are forced through channel areas of bers under pressure, resulting in uneven treatment. In a great many forms of dyeing, color lakes are formed in the process while producing the desired shade. In carrying out dyeings of this nature, small particles of color lake are filtered out, either on the top or the bottom of the mass, depending upon the direction of ow that the solution is pumped. This condition causes considerable trouble later on in the spinning and carding processes, as these particles in the form of precipitates are not readily washable from the stock. Stock dyeing with conventional pressure apparatus can only be satisfactorily carried out with true solutions as the stock acts as a filter and will filter out small particle sizes of undissolved dyestuffs and chemicals.

Another disadvantage of conventional pressure dyeing is the loss of colors and chemicals, resulting when types are used that do not exhaust one hundred percent from the treating solutions. In many cases, like when using what is known as the sulphur dyestuffs, 331/3 of the coloring matter has to be thrown away, as the normal exhaust or this particular class of dyestuff averages about 662/3%. By my process, in applying the saine group of colors, 109% of the color is obtained, as only the color that is applied to the ber and squeezed into the stock is taken up.

The second and the less commonly used practice is the passing oi the stock in bulk or loose form through either stationary or agitated treating solutions from one box to the other, such as practiced in the scouring of wool.

The main object of this invention is to provide a novel means for treating, dyeing, bleaching, aftertreating and the washing of bers carried out in a continuous, unbroken Web throughout their travel through the apparatus, and finishing the dyeing, bleaching, washing or aftertreating without the manual handling of the stock until it has been completely dried ready for further manufacturing operations.

Another object of this invention is to provide a means of maintaining the bers in a sheet form, which prevents any entanglement throughout the entire process of dyeing, bleaching, washing, etc. The web of stock being held evenly between the perforated conveyors, is carried through the 4treating solutions in a manner that no particle ltration can take place, thereby producing an ,even deposit of color or chemicals which have already been pressed into the web to be held there until properly iixed to the individual fibers.

Another object is to provide for the penetration of the initial solution, i. e., dye or chemical, throughout the entire stock structure, the elimination of excess dye or chemical by means further aiding the saturation, and the immediate and subsequent treatment of the stock as for instance for the fixing of the dye.

Another object of this invention is the developement of pulsations of the saturating solution in the stock for enhancing the desired reaction, these pulsations being caused by inherent characteristics of the saturated stock and cooperating mechanical means.

A still further object is the treatment in a series of steps of traveled stock at relatively high speed and the use of this speed of travel as an element in the method of treatment.

Numerous other objects will more clearly hereinafter appear by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, wherein like characters ofl reference correspond tovs'imilar parts throughout the several views, yin which: v Y A Figure l is a longitudinal elevation in section,

Figure 2 is an enlarged vertical section of one of the wells,

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary View of a portion of a belt and spray, and

Figure 4 is a top plan View partly in section.

Before describing the method and operation the apparatus will iirst be described.

The main treating chamber is formed as a spaced wall receptacle with the outer structure including end walls l and 2, side Walls 3 and bottom il. lThe inner wall of the receptacle is formed with a series of wells, the number being variable in accordance with requirements. Each well is defined by the vertical front wall l5, back wall 6, and curved bottom portion 1. The front wall of the first well is modified by being offset outwardly at 8 to form a transversely extending recess for receiving a pipe used in carrying out the process involved. Above the offset recess the upper portion of the wall I is flared outwardly as at 9 to facilitate operations. The adjacent intermediate walls 5 and 6 terminate sufliciently below the top of the receptacle and are connected by the rearwardly inclined deilector plate I0, above which is arranged the transversely extending guide roller II, the latter being at such an elevation as to be constantly submerged in the treating fluid flowing through the wells. Similar guide rollers I2 and I2 are supported in brackets I4 and I5 at each end of the treating vat or receptacle, although these guide rollers have an additional function as will more clearly herenafter appear. Near the bottom of each well are arranged the guide rolls IB and I1, each being of such a diameter that their peripheral sur faces properly position the conveyor belt at each side of each well. The peripheral surfaces of these guide rolls I6 and I1 are spaced from the adjacent bottoms 1 a distance substantially equal to one half the distance between the walls 5 and 8 of the wells and the adjacent walls of the hollow baffles I8. The bafes I8 are formed to include spaced front and rear walls arranged parallel to the walls 5 and 8 of the wells, and the completed structure includes end walls and top and bottom closure plates, the bottom plate being spaced from the guide rollers I6 and I1 and having the same axis so that the adjacent faces are parallel.

The feed end of the apparatus may provide means for delivering fibrous stock in either loose or lapped form and the movement and treatment of the material is identical in either instance. To illustrate this fact there is shown a supply of loose stock at A and a roll or lapped stock at B, the loose stock being fed from the hopper a while the roller lap is arranged on a suitable spool as at b.

It will be understood that the entire apparatus is supported upon a suitable framing and for illustration the treating vat is provided with standard C, while end supports D and E are arranged for carrying the feed and delivery mechanism. The framing on end supporting structure D may be braced against the vat by angle brace d or other suitable means.

A series of guide rolls 2), 2| and I 2 are provided at the feed end while at the delivery end the guide rolls I2 and 23 function. At the bottom of the vat and preferably at each corner thereof the guide rolls 24 are suitably supported. An endless perforated belt F is arranged to travel over the guide rolls 2U, 2| and I2, under guide roll I6 in the bottom of the first well, over the guide roll I I at the top and intermediate the wells, under the roll I1 at the bottom ofthe second well, over the delivery guide rolls I2 and 23 and around the lower guides Zfl at the base of the vat. This perforated belt is formed of a suitable stainless metal to avoid acid deterioration and is the lower conveying means for the stock regardless of its form.

Of paramount importance in the present invention is the use of the superimposed co-acting belt G. This co-acting belt G is so constructed and arranged as to be superimposed on the belt F only from a point immediately after the belt the roller 25 superimposed on the guide roller 2l. Both rollers 2 I and 25 are essentially identical as to form and construction to secure the desired pressure, with the upper roller 25 mounted in vertically adjustable journals 25 regulated by screw 21, to permit variation in spacing to be determined by such factors as the thickness of the stock being treated, the initial pressure desired and the thickness of the web of the conveyor belts. A similar superimposed guide and compression roll 23 for `cooperation with roll I2 is supported on the upright I5 in adjustable journal 29, and adjusted by screw 3i). The specific bearing mounting is not a part of the present invention as any suitable adjustable journal may be used for the guide and squeeze rollers 25 and 28 which will permit necessary pressure under all essential adjustments.

The framing superstructure supported by the uprights 5I and 32 carries the platform 33 upon which is mounted the framing 34 for supporting the upper guide rollers 35 over which the belt G travels. By the arrangement described it will be seen that the coasting belts F and G function from the initial compress at rollers 2I-25 to the outlet end of the treating vat where the rollers I2 and 28 guide and squeeze the stock between the belts.

rfhe structure of the belts is of importance both as to the material from which they are constructed, their flexibility and the formation and arrangement of perforations. In the present illustration the belts are formed of relatively thin stainless metal which will not be effected by acids cr other chemicals, with perforations at predetermined points to permit movement of the fluid to the entire stock structure, through the stock structure, under variations in pressures provided by the mechanism, and out of the stock structure at the delivery end of the vat. The movement of the treating fluid and its pressure variations will be 'more fully hereinafter described.

Ifhe stock whether from the source A or B is spread upon the sub-belt structure as at 36 or 36 and a solution of dye or chemicals is sprayed on the stock from the transversely extending spray head 31. The spray head 31 receives its supply through the pipe 3B controlled by valve 39, the source of supply being indicated as the tank 40 supported on the superstructure 33. Beneath the squeeze and belt guide rollers 2| and 25 which act directly on the stock following the spraying of dye or chemicals from the spray head 31, is the circulatory pad box or trough 4I in which the lower roller 2l is substantially immersed. This box or trough Ll I receives the spray solution forced from the stock by the squeezing operation of rolls 2l and 25 and the immersed roller 2l returns a substantial portion of the solution accumulating in the trough back as a film to the stock, feeding same through the perforation in the conveyor F. A drain (i2 controlled by drain valve i3 provides for disposal of the solution in the box or trough 4I and also for cleaning the latter when necessary. The solution in this trough, if excessive, could readily be returned to the tank by any suitable pumping means. After spraying by the dye spray head 31 the rolls "I and Z5 function to compress the stock, this compression acting to urge, under pressure, the solution through the mass to saturate the stock uniformly. The compressed stock from the rolls 2i and 25 is carried over the guide roll i2 into the first well of the treating tank, the guide roll i2 being so arranged as to center the coacting conveyors between the wall 5 and the adjacent vertical wall of the baiiie I8 and between the latter and the wall Ei of the well. The guide roller I8 is so arranged as to provide for uniform spac-V ing of the belt at each side of the well and this belt movement is further facilitated by the guide roller I I, the latter also functioning in the travel of the conveyor to the next well.

Treating solution from tank 45 also carried on the platform 33 of the superstructure is delivered to the transverse spray head l5 through the pipe E controlled by valve 4T. This solution from spray head i5 impinges against the perforated stock conveyor atthe top of the first well and is carried by the conveyor and stock into the restricted area through which the belt travels as heretofore set forth. The level of the solution in the Wells ofthe treating vat is slightly above the top of the intermediate guide roller I I so that the material between the coacting conveyor belts is continuously submerged during treatment. In the event that the solution, under movement caused by the velocity of conveyor travel reaches a height approximating the top of the vat, then this solution is picked up by the pipe ll and returned to the spray head i9 in the transverse recess formed by the offset wall portion 8, and fed against the under side of the stock and into the first well.

In the treatment of stock within the scope of the present invention it is essential that the treating solution be maintained at a deinite predetermined temperature to secure maximum results. To secure such Vtemperature control the spaced wall vat or treating receptacle is provided with a series of steam or refrigerant inlets ii and a controlled outlet 5I. The same is true of the spaced wall baffles I8, each of which has an inlet 52 and regulating valve 53 for the heat exchange medium, and an outlet with a con trol valve as at 54.

After passing through the guide and squeeze rolls i2' and 2S the coacting conveyor belts F and G separate to continue their respective cycles, the upper conveyor G passing over the rollers 35 supported on the superstructure and returning to the initial squeeze assembly 2! and 25. Inasmuch as a certain amount of lint and loose nbre may adhere to each belt, cleaning rolls or combs are provided. The cleaning roll 55 brushing the conveyor G and the cleaning roll 5S the lower conveyor F. These cleaning rolls may be mounted for adjustment in conventional bearings and are preferably driven at such speed as to remove any stock residue clinging to the conveyors, without injuring the latter.

Between the squeeze rolls I2 and 28 and the lower belt cleaning roll 56 and cooperating with the guide roilsZS are the squeeze rolls 5l having adjusting means et to eliminate the cleaning fluid sprayed at intermediate points. on the traveling exposed stock supported by the conveyor F. This cleaning iiuid which may be water is supplied froxntank 59 through the feed pipes BIJ, each of which has an individual valve control 6I which regulate the amount of cleaning fluid passing through the transversely extending perforated headers 62. These spray headers are of the same general construction as shown in Figure 3, which construction is used at each of the uid feed points heretofore described. A pan E3 carried on the uprights E catches the waste cleaning fluid and discharges the same through the outlet 64. A cleaning roll 55 is shown as operating in conjunction with the end squeeze 6. roll 51 and such a cleaning roll may be utilized whenever and wherever necessary.

Drying hopper H having conveyors h and h' are provided to deliver the stool: delivered from thev apparatus to the drying chamber J as is conventional.

A synchronized drive is connected to each of the rolls 25, 2S, I2', 5'! and 23 to insure uniform movement of the conveyor belts during their cycle of operation. In the illustration the driven rolls each may be provided with a pulley or gear for receiving power from a suitable source, although any suitable mechanism may be utilized in this connection.

It will be obvious that the only dyes or chemicals that are used in the present process are the quantities that are picked up and sprayed on in the padding operation and the retention of the coloring matter and chemicals is maintained by the following fixation bath, which -is circulated through the stock until the desired iixation or chemical reaction has been completed. This process of applying the colors or chemicals at the pad also corrects variables regarding the differences that are inherent in the exhaustion properties of the various colors. Dyestuifs or chemicals varying in their exhaust may be applied by this process evenly without loss, treating each fiber and the entire quantity of stock to be processed ina uniformly controlled manner.

In carrying out this invention the fibers may be processed in any form, such as being fed loose to the top of the conveyor uniformly or previously rolled up in laps. These fibers may also be fed to the conveyor in the form of strands, such as card sliver or woolen tops in the form of loose strands having no linear strength that could be pulled or run through a conventional machine. The fibers in such cases are not twisted together' but are parallel, more or less, to each other. In other words, this invention shows a process for the continuous dyeing of any fibrous material in any physical form, such as in bulk, laps, sheets or multiple loose strands, such as woolen tops, cotton or combed card sliver. The stock can be either put into lap form in the same manner as taken from the cotton picker or fed to the conveyor evenly in loose form. The stock in either form is placed onto a continuous perforated conveyor and by a forward movement of this conveyor the loose stock is fed to a pair of pressure rolls. Just before the stock enters the pressure rolls, it is sprayed with a solution of dye or chemicals on top of the mass. A second perforated conveyor meets the stock at the point of squeeze, thereby not only squeezing the liquor completely throughout the web and into all ibers evenly but at the same time flattening the stock out to a degree whereby it forms the inner thickness between the two traveling conveyors. The stoel; is then traveled through and with the treating solutions in an. unbroken web as the two conveyors pressing it together hold the fibrous mass intact, in order that it may be further treated for additional developing, dyeing, washing, etc.

As the dye or treating solutions are fed on the top of the stock and are squeezed through the stock and through the perforated conveyors, the excess solution drops in a circulatory designed box in which the bottom squeeze roll travels and by its traveling motion, in turn picks up the squeezed out dye or chemical solution and carries it back by circulatory motion through the bottom conveyor into the stock, thereby insuring an even application of color or treating solution at this point of squeeze and the complete utilization of solutions. Colors, chemicals or other treating solutions applied to the stock at this point' may require further fixation or aftertreating in order to produce the desired fastness of the color or to complete the chemical treatment in a treating solution. A second treating solution may be added to the apparatus at the point of entry where both conveyors are carrying into the apparatus the layer of stock which has been pressed between them. By moving the conveyors and stock in unison through the coniined area a pressure and circulatory movement of the treating solution takes place, thereby forcing these solutions to react through the perforated conveyors penetrating into the web of the stock.

A study of the physical action that is responsible in a large measure to the speeding up of the dyeing, bleaching, aftertreating and washing operations is accounted for by the following physical action which takes place within the confined area of the wells; as the web of stock is pressed between the ilrst pressure squeeze rolls with the treating solutions, upon entering the developing bath for further treatment the stock or web may contain from nity to one hundred per cent moisture and as the two conveyors travel through the conned well with the stock. the treating solutions enter the conveyors through the perforations evenly on both sides ol the well, causing the stock to swell and to expand the conveyors to a larger distance apart by the stock re-absorbing treating solution. At a distance of approximately one half way through the confined wells 'the two conveyors at this point are farthest apart and again converge and draw closer, being forced together as they travel around the lower baille immersion roll. As the two conveyors approach this roll and are being brought together, this action forces out of the web the treating solutions which entered the web at the top of the well in its travel down through the confined channel. A similar action takes place as the conveyors and web move up in a forward motion to the top of the next roll. In this l oase after being compressed together at the bottom of the well, the treating solutions again enter into the center of the web of stock by absorption of the fibers causing the conveyors to expand, allowing complete saturation of the stock. The conveyors reaching the top roll above the stationary bale again are brought closer together forcing the treating solutions back out of the web through the perforations into the conned channel. number of wells that are used in the equipment. Although only two wells are shown, any number of wells may be added. This forced action of the treating solutions entering and leaving the stock causes even circulation and distribution or" fluid throughout the mass in the treating of the fibers. This action has been responsible for the curtailment of treating time from hours to a matter of minutes and allows the processes to be carried out in treating a continuous web of unbroken fibers held together without matting or entangling.

Another example shows that this process and apparatus lends itself to the treatment of out rayon staples, such as viscose. These fibers upon beingtreated with hot alkaline solutions have a tendency to swell abnormally. This swelling action prevents the even distribution of alkaline or other chemicals when treating such bers by the processes and equipment heretofore mentioned.

This action is multiplied by the The actual swelling instead of retarding the proper treatment, by this invention, is an aid to the process as the swelling takes place between the two conveyors which can expand and allow for the entering of the solutions evenly throughout the mass.

At the delivery end of the machine the excess dye or treating solutions are squeezed or wrung from the web and by gravity are fed again to the entering point of the apparatus, creating a uniform circulation of solutions. It is desirous in many forms or" color and chemical treatments that the web be held under the surface liquor at all times during its treatment to prevent any premature oxidation. The apparatus as designed shows that loose stock may be kept under the treating solutions while being held between the movable endless perforated conveyors.

This invention shows a process and an apparatus for the dyeing and treating of stock in a continuous unbroken web through an apparatus where controlled circulation of the solutions treat uniformly and evenly both sides and center of the traveling web of stock. This invention provides for the dyeing of stock in this form with a considerable saving in manual labor, time and chemicals and also prevents the matting together of bers such as brought about when attempting to move a mass of stock through dye or treating solutions. This process insures the even treatment of loose fibers in a continuous unbroken web.

An example shows the speeding up of the dyeing and treating process when applying what is known as vat coors to raw stock cotton according to this principle in the apparatus shown. The vat colors are added either in pigment form or solubilized by reduction and fed to the lap at the squeeze rolls at the point of entry. The sock and solutions are squeezed together between the perforated conveyors. The pressure forces the solution evenly throughout the layeis of fibers. Upon leaving the squeeze rolls a further reduction or aftertreating treatment is necessary to insure the maximum fastness and xation of color to the ber. The stock in an unbroken web is carried through a reduction solution of caustic soda or other suitable alkali with sodium hydrosulphite. This treatmenty under the circulation and pressure that is developed when the conveyors carry the stock through the confined channels, completes the reduction and xation of color in a short period of time. The excess treating solutions are squeezed back into the apparatus and recirculated for further use. The stock is then carried and separated from the top conveyor and moved through an open series of squeeze rolls. This shows the rinsing or additional treating solutions being sprayed on the top of the stock into and through the web and through the bottom perforated conveyor. This action is repeated one or more times depending upon the washing or oxidizing necessary and the stock fed continuously in an unbroken web to the drier. The apparatus and process show that a considerable amount of stock can be worked through a short ratio of treating solution with practically no loss of treating solution and approximately one hundred per cent o1 the dyes and chemicals fixed completely that were fed on to the stock at point of squeeze.

This invention also shows a new means of applying naphtols or the insoluble azo colors. Thersoluble naphtolate is applied to the stock at the first pair of squeeze rolls. At this point the stock is colored slightly yellow due to this treatment. By wringing and squeezing the excess naphtol solution from the bers the stock is immediately entered into the developing apparatus to which is added either the fast color salts or the diazotized bases. The color lake is formed in the travel of the web through the rast color salt solution, immediately producing the desired shade. To apply this class of coloring matters on loose stock the application time normally requires from four to six hours and results in considerable loss of naphtolating liquors. By this process the entire impregnating and developing is done in the matter of minutes. The same proedure is followed when dyeing directs or substantive dyes. They are applied at the iirst squeeze rolls and immediately entered into the developing bath for further treatment. Inert coloring matter such as pigments may be applied in resinous emulsions and, being pressed into the stock, may be further chemically treated in order to bind the resin and pigments more positively7 to the fiber. A further example is the dyeing of wool with the various types of coloring matter suitable for this ber; the dyestuifs are put on at the point of Squeeze at high temperatures, further treated by the short passage through the developing machine which may contain mineral or organic acids required to properly iix the wool dyestuffs to the bers. It can readily be seenl that combinations of various types of fibers may be blended together and passed through a combination of the various mixtures of the different groups of coloring matter and chemicals producing multi-colored effects in one continuous process. A simple example of this would be the dyeing of acetate staple mixed with cotton, the direct or substantive colors added to the same solution tank along "with the acetate colors, each group of dyestuifs having affinities for only their representative iibers. By padding the mixed fibers together through the mixed solutions, it is possible to dye different colored effects on loose stock in a continuous operation and at the same time lreep intact an unbroken web of these bers.

An important feature of this development is the means used for indirectly heating this solution through an outer chamber and also through the hollow removable baflles. The apparatus also shows the removable baliles which facilitate the festooning of the conveyor into the wells, which also allows the ease of cleaning the machine when changing from one color` to another. It has been mentioned as an example the dyeing of vat or anthraquinone types of colors by this process on this apparatus. This process and apparatus lends itself to the application for the dyeing of any of the known coloring matters and for any chemical treatment that is necessary to be applied to any form of stock by a continued and economical method of handling.

By using this process and apparatus, we are able to evenly and more efiiciently treat loose bers for the purpose of water-proofing, mildewproofing, reproonng and other chemical treatments. As the majority of chemical compounds used for the above mentioned purposes have a low ainity for the various bers, it is extremely Iwasteful to attempt to apply them to loose stock in a pressure machine or by immersing the stock through stationary or agitated solutions on the existing equipment that might be used for this purpose. An example is the treating of loose lfibers with the chemical compound, such as dil() hydroxy-dichlorodiphenylmethane. This compound, which is used for mildew-proofing, has low aninlty for the cotton liber; however, if applied by the process mentioned, on the apparatus as shown, no loss of the chemical takes place in properly applying it to loose fibers on the apparatus as shown. The chemical is made up and put in soluble forni and applied at the point of squeeze at the rst series of pressure rolls. A uniform amount of the chemical, after it has been squeezed into the mass and through the individual fibers, is passed directly into the developing 4unit which contains a solution of acetic acid. .es the acid enters the stock immediately, precipitation takes place of the dihydroxy-dichlorodiphenylmethane, causing it to be bound and xed on the cotton fiber. Any chemical process requiring a series of treatments similar to the above is carried out more efficiently in the manner explained, saving considerable quantities of chemicals that would be wasted if application `were to be carried out by any of the regular means in standard equipment such as used at present.

The treating liuids necessary for further developing or colors and chemicals used in the apparatus may be true solutions of dissolved dyestuffs or chemicals or may be gaseous mediums of fluid, such as steam, to be entered into the well to treat the already applied chemicals or dyestuls that are entering the apparatus at this point for further treatment.

I claim:

l. In a liber treating apparatus, an endless foraminous conveyor, a vat, rolls for guiding said conveyor into and out ci said vat, means for spraying dyeing solution directly onto the brous material carried by said conveyor, means for compressing the fibrous material carried by said conveyor after the spraying operation, endless belt means cooperating with said conveyor for holding the fibrous material in its compressed state as it is carried by the conveyor into said vat and after the spraying of the dye solution,

means for continuously supplying a fiber treating solution to the fibers as they travel through said vat, said endless conveyor and said endless belt permitting expansion of said bers in said vat from an absorption of vsaid ber treating solution, means including said guide rolls for recompressing said fibers after their expansion, trough means for reclaiming the fiber treating solution as the conveyor leaves the vat, and means for releasing the iibers from their holding means.

2. In a liber dyeing apparatus, a vat, an endless foraminous conveyor for bers, means for feeding iibers onto said conveyor, a coacting conveyor for holding the fibers on the first conveyor for a portion of its travel, rolls for guiding the endless conveyors into and out of said vat, means for directly spraying dyeing solution on said ber on said conveyor before the coacting conveyor is associated therewith, a trough for receiving excess dyeing solution supplied by said spraying means, and means for supplying a lm of spraying solution from said trough to said fibers.

3. In a ber dyeing apparatus, a vat, an endless oraminous conveyorfor bers, a coacting conveyor for holding the fibers on the rst conveyor for a portion of its travel, rolls for guiding the endless-conveyors into and out of said vat, means for spraying dyeing solution to said-fiber before it enters said Vat, a trough for receiving excess dyeing solution supplied by said spraying means, and meansl for supplying a lm of spraying solution from said trough to said bers said means applying said lm under pressure.

fl. In a ber dyeing apparatus, a vat, an endless foraminous conveyor for bers, a foraminous conveyor coacting with the rst conveyor for holding said bers, means for guiding said conveyors into and out of said vat, means for feeding bers to the rst conveyor, said coacting conveyor being operative to hold said bers on the rst conveyor from the feeding means to the delivery side of said Vat, means for spraying dyeing solution to said bers as they are fed to the rst conveyor, a trough for receiving excess dyeing solution from said bers, and means for further applying a portion of said dyeing solution from said trough to said bers after the coacting conveyor has initiated its holding operation.

5. The substance of claim 4 characterized in that the means for applying the dyeing solution from the trough to the bers is a partially immersed roll.

6. The substance of claim 4 characterized in that a pair of rolls apply pressure to the bers after the spraying operation.

7. The substance of claim 4 characterized in that a pair of rolls apply pressure to the bers after the spraying, and one of these pressure rolls constitutes the means for applying the dyeing solution from the trough to the bers.

8. In a dyeing and dye xing apparatus, a vat, guide rolls arranged in said vat, an endless foraminous belt conveyor moveable into and out :o

of said vat and about said guide rolls, means for feeding loose bers onto said conveyor before it enters said vat, means for spraying dyeing solution directly onto said ber, a trough, a pair of compression rolls for compressing said bers after spraying, one of said rolls traveling in said trough and conveying dyeing solution from said trough to said ber as it is being compressed, a coacting conveyor belt associated with the rst conveyor for holding said bers in compact form thereon, said coacting conveyor being adapted to travel with the iirst conveyor from the compression rolls through said vat and being divided therefrom after compressing the bers upon their exit from said vat, means for supplying a xing solution to said vat and for maintaining a predetermined level of said solution, and means for spraying xing solution to said ber as it enters said Vat.

9. In an apparatus for dyeing loose bers, an endless belt for receiving bers of loose stock, means,- arranged above the belt for depositing the loose stock of bers downwardly upon said belt, a compression device for compressing said bers after they are deposited upon said enfless belt, means for saturating said bers immediately before they are moved into said compression means whereby said dyeing material is forced through said bers and into contact with same under pressure, an after treatment chamber arranged in the path of movement of said belt, guide means for directing said belt into said chamber, a continuous belt arranged to overlie the ber on said belt as it passes into said after treatment chamber, means including rollers for intermittently expanding and compressing the bers in said after treating solution in said tank, said last named means including a pair of bottom rollers beneath which said belt passes and an intermediate upper roller over which said belt passes during its 'passage through said tank, and compression rollers arranged ior removing said after treating solution from said ber as it leaves said tank.

10. In an apparatus of the class described, a ber container, a foraminous endless conveyor vbelt for receiving ber discharged from said container, means for spraying dye material on the brous material as it is deposited on said belt, a second foraminous belt coacting with the rst conveyor for confining said brous material thereon, a well arranged below said dye spraying means and adapted to contain an after treating fluid to a pre-determined level through which portions of said coacting parts of said conveyors may travel, compression rollers above and below said belts for forcing the dye material through said bers before said belts travel through said well, spaced guide rollers -for guiding said superimposed belts into said well and over which belts are adapted to travel, said guide rolls being arranged above the liquid level therein, a guide roller arranged intermediate the upper guide rolls and arranged in the lower portion of said well and under which said coacting belts are adapted to travel, said upper and lower guide rolls being sufficiently spaced to permit the bers carried by said coacting belts to expand due to absorption of the liquid in said well, and pressure means for squeezing the ber on said conveyor after it leaves said Well.

11.1n an apparatus of the class described, ioraminous endless conveyors arranged to travel in part in upper and lower coacting relation for confining and moving fibrous material, meant for depositing ber on the lower of said coacting belts, means depositing a dyeing solution on said bers as they are deposited on said lower belt, means including a pair of rollers arranged above and below said coacting conveyors for compressing said bers between said belts to urge said dyeing solution through the ber, a well for containing after treating solution, a plurality of rollers for guiding said coacting conveyors into and out of the solution in said well,

certain of said rollers being arranged above said well and other of said rollers being submerged in the solution in said well, said rollers being suiiiciently spaced to permit expansion of the ber as it absorbs the solution in said well, compression means for forcing out the solution absorbed by said ber in said well as said ber is carried by said conveyor away from said well, guide means for deflecting the upper of said conveyors away from the lower conveyor after leaving said well to expose the ber on said lower conveyor, and means for discharging a treating solution on the exposed ber after the conveyors are separated.

SUMNER H. WILLIAMS.

REFERENCES CITED The toilet/.ing f 'ei'erences are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 675,407 Peltzer June 4, 1901 rYi Mattei July 2'9, 1902 1,071,022 Berger Aug. 26, 1913 1,696,997 Brook May 19, 1914 1,896,954 Heap Feb. '7, 1933 1,934,749 Tingle Nov. 14, 1933 2,196,695 Davies Apr. 9, 1940 

2. IN A FIBER DYEING APPARATUS, A VAT, AN ENDLESS FORAMINOUS CONVEYOR FOR FIBERS, MEANS FOR FEEDING FIBERS ONTO SAID CONVEYOR, A COACTING CONVEYOR FOR HOLDING THE FIBERS ON THEFIRST CONVEYOROR FOR A PORTION OF ITS TRAVEL, ROLLS FOR GUIDING THE ENDLESS CONVEYORS INTO AND OUT OF SAID VAT, MEANS FOR DIRECTLY SPRAYING DYEING SOLUTION ON SAID FIBER ON SAID CONVEYOR BEFORE THE COACTING CONVEYOR IS ASSOCIATED WHEREWITH, A TROUGH FOR RECEIVING EXCESS DYEING SOLUTION SUPPLIED BY SAID SPRAYING MEANS, AND MEANS FOR SUPPLYING A FILM OF SPRAYING SOLUTION FROM SAID TROUGH TO SAID FIBERS. 